(AP) - Capsule preview of the conference semifinal series between Milwaukee and Boston and between Golden State and Houston:
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No. 1 MILWAUKEE BUCKS (60-22, 4-0) vs. No. 4 BOSTON CELTICS (49-33, 4-0)
Season series: Bucks, 2-1
Story line: Widely considered the East favorite coming into the season, the Celtics have finally begun to look the part and come off a first-round sweep of Indiana. Now they meet the team that did have the conference’s best record. The Bucks swept Detroit in the first round and now will try to avenge a first-round loss to Boston in the 2018 playoffs.
Key matchup: Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Al Horford. Antetokounmpo dominated the Celtics during the regular season, averaging 31 points on 59.3% shooting. If Boston gets the better defensive effort it needs it will probably be led by Horford, who also can help the Celtics by improving his sub-40% shooting against Milwaukee during the season.
Prediction: Bucks in 7.
No. 1 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (57-25, 4-2) vs. No. 4 HOUSTON ROCKETS (53-29, 4-1)
Season series: Rockets, 3-1
Story line: The rematch of last year’s Western Conference finals comes one round earlier this time. The Rockets had a 3-2 lead before Golden State rallied to win the series on Houston’s home floor and eventually the championship. Houston won both games at Oracle Arena this season, including a 135-134 victory when James Harden made a 3-pointer with 2.7 seconds left in overtime to cap a 44-point, 15-assist, 10-rebound performance.
Key matchup: Stephen Curry vs. Chris Paul. The series last year changed after Paul injured his hamstring and was forced to miss the final two games. The Rockets need him on the floor to keep the Warriors from putting too much pressure on Harden. Curry took a backseat to Kevin Durant in the final couple games of the first-round series against the Clippers, but Golden State will need all its shooters clicking the way Houston piles up the points.
Prediction: Warriors in 7.